Remote work and travel

The biosecurity area restrictions in the Northern Territory (NT) were lifted on 5 June 2020.

There is no longer any requirement to quarantine for 14 days before entering a remote community. Residents can move freely between their communities, homelands, country and town.

Territorians need to continue to maintain good physical distancing and hygiene practices to protect against spreading coronavirus (COVID-19).

Any non-residents wanting to go into a remote community must still must follow all the requirements of land councils and local communities, including checking if you need a land council permit to go there.

Read below for information about the regional requirements for visitors and workers.

Non-residents must have permission from the relevant land council to go into their communities for any reason, including work.

The Central Land Council (CLC) and Northern Land Council (NLC) will continue to acknowledge Approved Remote Essential Worker (AREW) cards, issued under the biosecurity restrictions, for access to their communities until September.

If you do not have an AREW card, you must apply to the NLC or CLC for a permit to access their communities.

You should check with the relevant land council to make sure you have the right kind of permission to go into their community.

From 14 April 2020, the Anindilyakwa Land Council indicated that anyone wishing to come to the Groote Archipelago (including essential workers) should apply for a Groote Archipelago and Community Access Permit if they are able to meet the requirements.